Robotics & AI

Artists are staging a defiant comeback against the AI doll craze, wielding their own handcrafted creations as weapons! Fed up with the flood of AI-generated 'starter pack' images that threaten their livelihoods and devalue genuine artistry, creatives are fighting back, one hand-made masterpiece at a time. Nick Lavallee, a seasoned custom action figure maker, expressed concerns that his passion is being undermined by the AI invasion. "People are sick of them," he declared. "It's an artistic aesthetic - AI-generated art diminishes that." Nick's high-end figures, fetching up to $250, cater to big names like Weezer and Tyler Childers. Now, he fears AI could dry up commissions and dilute the perception of his work. The #StarterPackNoAI movement has exploded online, showcasing the power of hu...

Guernsey headteachers are confronting the AI surge head-on, pioneering diverse strategies to integrate and manage this disruptive tech within education. One headteacher, Daniele Harford-Fox of The Ladies College, is boldly revamping the curriculum, incorporating a custom AI agent to empower Year 7 students with personalized target setting. Staff are also leveraging a fortified version of Microsoft Copilot, fortified with safeguards to ensure a secure learning environment. Harford-Fox questions the very relevance of traditional education in the face of this industrial revolution, noting that AI models like Chat GPT-4 can outwrite many A-level students. This raises fundamental questions about the value of years spent mastering essay writing when AI can seemingly do it better. While the Sta...

Dublin, Ireland – The battle lines are drawn! Irish writers, backed by the symbolic power of Irish wolfhounds, have taken their protest directly to the Dáil and Government buildings in Dublin, accusing Meta of large-scale copyright infringement in the training of its AI models. Spearheaded by the Irish Writers Union (IWU), the demonstration targets Meta's alleged use of copyrighted material to train its Llama 3 AI model, igniting a fiery debate over fair compensation and intellectual property rights in the age of artificial intelligence. The IWU, uniting Irish publishers, screenwriters, and poets, is demanding Meta's compliance with Irish and EU copyright laws. The protest follows revelations from a US court case suggesting Meta's unauthorized use of millions of copyrighted works. Award-...

Nvidia's stock price plummeted after the chip giant revealed it faces a staggering $5.5 billion blow due to tightened U.S. export rules targeting China. The restrictions, part of an escalating tech and trade battle between the U.S. and China, require Nvidia to obtain licenses for exporting its sought-after H20 AI chip to China, a key market. Shares plunged 6.5% as the Nasdaq took a hit. Nvidia stated the U.S. government flagged concerns about potential misuse of the chips in Chinese supercomputers. While a significant sum, analysts suggest Nvidia can weather the storm and speculate on potential future adjustments to trade policies. Experts anticipate a potential decoupling of US and China AI semiconductor supply chains. This move underscores the intensifying competition for tech dominance ...

Everyone's jumping on the AI doll trend, turning themselves into miniature action figures using tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. Brands and influencers are all over it, creating 'mini-me' avatars for social media. But hold on, is this seemingly innocent trend hiding a darker side? Some experts are urging caution, pointing to the significant energy and data consumption associated with AI. How does it work? Simple: upload a selfie to an AI tool, add written prompts describing your desired doll appearance (accessories, packaging, etc.), and let the AI generate your mini-me. Personalize it with your name, job, and clothing. While amusing mistakes are common, the underlying AI technology can also make assumptions about how you 'should' look. Brands like Mario Badescu and Royal Mail have joined...

The gloves are OFF! OpenAI has launched a blistering countersuit against Elon Musk, accusing the Tesla CEO of a relentless campaign to undermine their business for his own gain. The lawsuit alleges Musk is employing 'bad-faith tactics' in an attempt to seize control of cutting-edge AI technology. This legal action escalates the already intense conflict between two Silicon Valley titans. OpenAI claims Musk's actions are a blatant attempt to slow them down and grab control of their AI innovations for his personal benefit, stating, 'Elon's nonstop actions against us are just bad-faith tactics...Today, we countersued to stop him.' Musk initially sued OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, challenging the company's corporate structure shift. He claims OpenAI abandoned its founding non-profit mission to benefi...

Microsoft is pushing forward with its AI-powered screenshot tool, igniting privacy concerns and raising eyebrows across the tech world. Dubbed a 'privacy nightmare' by critics, the Copilot+ Recall feature is now in preview mode for select users with Microsoft's AI PCs and laptops. This relaunch follows a previous pause in 2024 after initial announcements triggered widespread alarm. After limited testing, Microsoft is expanding access through its Windows Insider program. While a global rollout is planned, EU users will face a delay until later in 2025. The core function of Recall is to allow users to easily search through past PC activity, including files, photos, emails, and browsing history. Microsoft claims this will allow users to quickly find content they've previously viewed, even d...

Devon's future prosperity hinges on equipping its workforce with crucial AI skills, experts warn. Ronnie Carter of the Devon & Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan emphasized AI's transformative impact across industries, stating that mastering AI is paramount for regional growth. The recent Lifein AI exhibition in Devonport, Plymouth, showcased this urgency, uniting businesses, educators, and leaders to explore AI's potential. Attendees witnessed firsthand the power of AI through displays like caring robots and dancing robot dogs. Christina Wilkins of Brand Biscuit Studio underscored the necessity of fostering innovation in the South West, stressing the importance of collaboration to deepen understanding of AI and shape its future. Despite widespread recognition of AI's importance, a rec...

West Berkshire Council is set to pioneer the future of local governance, securing a spot in a select group of 25 authorities chosen for a groundbreaking government AI trial. The council will be experimenting with 'Minute,' an innovative AI tool designed to transcribe and summarize meeting proceedings, potentially revolutionizing efficiency and workflow. Developed by the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence, a division of the Government Digital Service within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Minute promises to streamline operations. Vicky Poole, portfolio holder for transformation and corporate programme, expressed her enthusiasm, highlighting AI's potential to transform the public sector if implemented securely and ethically. The Incubator for Artificial Intellige...

Meta, the tech behemoth behind Facebook and Instagram, is under fire for potentially using books, including those by Gerry Adams, without permission to train its AI models. An investigation revealed that Meta may have accessed millions of pirated books and research papers through LibGen (Library Genesis) to train its Llama AI system. Adams has already consulted his solicitor over this matter. While Meta claims its use of information is consistent with existing law and respects third-party intellectual property rights, authors are outraged. A database of pirated books on LibGen revealed that numerous authors, including several from Northern Ireland like Jan Carson and Anna Burns, had their works listed. Michael Taylor, a historian, expressed his fury, stating that Meta's actions amount ...